What Did the Gospel Mean to Paul? | Galatians 2:19-20 | N.T. Wright Online

Why did the ‘new life in Jesus’ mean so much to Paul personally? For the apostle Paul, the Gospel is about a debt of love that only love can repay. Prof. N.T. Wright reads Galatians 2:19-20 to explore how Messiah faithfulness means new identity.

Tell us in the comments how you see Messiah Jesus living in and through you!

Want to learn more about Galatians? We have a new, two-part course on sale now, An Advanced Study in Galatians.

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[timothywood]

Dr. Wright's description of Paul's personal understanding of the Gospel is poignant and fresh. It's quite remarkable how Dr. Wright is able to clarify in such succinct detail matters from an ancient letter in a way that I immediately get the meaning of it for me today, particularly regarding identity in the messiah...although there is always more for me to learn and experience and grow in. Paul's contrast with DesCartes is also apt: "I am loved (by messiah), therefore I am." That is so much more life-giving and humbling than the purely rational "I think, therefore I am." I wish to grow more into the identity that the faithfulness and love of the messiah gives, not just what I give to myself!

[wholebodyandspirit]

Thank you, dear brother in Christ! You are a blessing. Your firm identity in Christ brings tremendous beauty, love, and truth.

P.S. I love your voice! God has blessed you with such a gorgeous voice. Thank you for sharing one of your many gifts.

[jaylinn]

I love these bite sized teaching. I can check in and listen to these every day - as often as I want! Wow. Thank you!!!

[mareefrost]

I noticed a difference in the translation of verse 20. I am used to reading ‘I live by faith in the Son of God’. The version from the Bible for Everyone translates this to, ‘I live within the faithfulness of the Son of God’. This translation makes more sense to me and it draws me into the love for which Christ demonstrated. I also appreciated Toms closing comment. ‘That love which reaches out from the Cross of the Messiah, is that love which defines us as a people characterised by the answering love which we call faith’. I will meditate on that today as I think about my faith, as answering to Gods love for me. Thank You. May God Bless you, Tom Wright.

[GiftMtukwa]

Thanks Prof Wright for teaching so eloquently

[mikeanderson]

I greatly appreciated Prof. Wright's statement - the past does not define me - it is Christ's love that defines me (paraphrase) Awesome!!! My new and permanent identity is one who is loved by Jesus.

[rhondarockhound]

I so want this to be a universal love extending to my family and loved ones, who reject the Christian religion, because the gospel sounds like bad news to them. It’s like the seed that we are planting here in the west has been damaged. How can we recover the gospels original beauty and open their eyes to see it. But it’s not only that. They just look at me - a broken selfish Christian and think what hypocrisy! If only I could die and be raised a new changed person. But I am in a constant battle. The only thing I have learned - is to be humble and sympathetic to all those who struggle. And to not give up, just wake up, be born again, and start over, new each morning.

[losik]

"Answering love to God is faith"-❤

[barbaraducasse]

So thrilled to have found this channel.

[glyndavies]

A reassuring message. Thankyou. I love that phrase about us having a debt of love which only love can repay. And Paul's assurance that while we may live in the flesh we are no longer defined by the flesh.

[gregrose]

I appreciate the stone mason/cathedral analogy to our calling. Thank you.

[shalomsister]

Oh my gosh, I am literally crying. I was amazed and blessed by the way you explained the passage. You made it so clear and breathtakingly beautiful that it made me cry. I am struggling currently with my carnal nature and I was so blessed when you said I am not defined by my flesh anymore. I struggle with making that my reality. I immediately subscribed to you and set up all notifications. Thank you for this teaching. God bless you!😊🕊🔥💖✝️💕❤️

[paullatif]

I love the statement ~ "I am loved therefore I am" !! 🎶 🎻 🎊

[marktaylor]

Excellent Tom! You always articulate it so well! Thank you!

[joanjamison]

The beautiful reality of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and His amazing love and grace. Lord help us live this out in our daily walk.

[fernandogrejo]

Loved it!! "I am loved, therefore i am" that was beautiful

[lookingbusbus]

Witness to Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to you. Long live the King - Theophilus

[toddman]

Tom the response of love back so simply put!

[igbagbogbemid.oyedeji]

Great exposition Sir.
Love from Nigeria

[michaelkistner]

Your contrast of Descartes and Paul reminded me of cognitive scientist John Vervaeke. In his treatment of agape Vervaeke argues that this love is what transforms the potential human personhood of an infant into the actualized personhood of a fully formed human being. "I" live because of the agape given me by my parents and others. My identity itself is a product of Love. Paul's new identity being formed by a new experience of such love makes perfect sense.